News

June, 17

Johnson steps in for Mumfords

Jack Johnson has come to the rescue at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival after Mumford and Sons were forced to cancel.

Jack has agreed to take the Saturday night headlining slot after Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane was taken ill, festival officials have announced. The Upside Down singer last headlined at Bonnaroo in 2008.

Jack revealed: "I called my band and asked if they were up for it. Long story short - they are headed this way. I've got a lot of lyrics and chords to relearn by Saturday night. I was here to play the first Bonnaroo, and it is a very special festival to my band. We are excited to hit the stage again. Get well Ted!"

Mumford and Sons' decision comes after Ted received treatment this week for a blood clot on his brain. The band postponed three shows in Dallas and Woodlands, Texas, and New Orleans after the blood clot was discovered but hoped to play Bonnaroo on Saturday night.

Ted has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering from the procedure but is not yet ready to play. Rather than perform with a replacement, the London-based, Grammy-award-winning folk rock band decided to pull out. The band also cancelled appearances at the Telluride Festival in Colorado and a performance in Bonner, Kansas, ending their summer tour early.

"The surgery went well, and the excellent medical team helping him are very pleased with his progress," a band statement said. "He has been nothing short of heroic in how he has handled the whole ordeal, and now it has been medically proved that he does indeed have a brain."

It was a case of right place, right time for Jack. The 38-year-old Hawaiian folk-rock singer was in town to play with friends ALO. He also was already scheduled to be in Manchester to perform a small secret show for reporters and participate in a question-and-answer session to promote his new album, From Here To Now To You, which is due out in September.